From the Publisher - December 2016

“Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe.”— Wayne Dyer

When most people think of miracles, they think of acts so great they are beyond earthly power. Some think of the many miracles Jesus performed in the Bible, such as restoring a blind man’s sight and bringing a dead man back to life. While some have experiences that can only be explained and comprehended as a miracle such as these, I believe that miracles are not exclusive to the grandeur. I think miracles surround us everyday, and they come in all sizes—the only prerequisite in experiencing miracles is to begin to notice; change your perception of what a miracle is, and you’ll see them all around you.

Life is not about waiting for something big to sweep you away or better your life. Life is about the sum of your daily living. It is about each small thing you do each moment of the day. It’s the little things that add up to a life well lived.

During this season of true miracles, I want to share my thoughts about the wondrous acts of kindness and civility, which I consider modern day miracles, that swirl around each and every one of us daily. When I stop to truly ponder the magnitude of how small things come together to make our lives so blessed, it’s easy to see and appreciate the miracle of the amazing spirit of the human race. I know it’s been done a million times—using an acronym to define a word—however, here it is one more time, from my heart to yours:

M—Mother’s loveThere is nothing as simple, or as strong, as the love a mother has for her child. It is a gift innately bestowed to women, which allows them to deeply love another human being before ever meeting them.

I—ImaginationWithout imagination there would be no dreams, and without dreams our world would be stagnant and sterile. The miracle of great imaginations has changed the course of our lives over and over again, even before we were born. Imagination is the force that takes us to places we’ve never been. Even the Bible says, “As a man thinketh, so shall he become.” It also says, “Without vision, we perish.”

R—ResponsibilityNowadays, many complain that people do not take responsibility for their actions. Maybe tis true, however, I am extremely thankful for the responsibility to which most of us do adhere. One has to be grateful that people, who are all powered by free will, still trust and obey most of the time. It’s a miracle that people still stop for traffic lights, still stand in lines to wait their turn, and still are willing to give each other a helping hand.

A—AnatomyOur bodies are the biggest miracle we take with us everywhere we go. I am astonished by the intricacies of the human body: its ability to heal itself, its strength to accomplish herculean tasks, its willingness to try to thrive even under extreme abuse, yet its gentleness to allow us to love, laugh and cry. If you haven’t figured out yet that your body is your temple, sit down and give it some deep thought. I promise you will have a major light bulb moment. Eureka!

C—CourageousnessSome of the most staggering acts of love and heroism have come out of courageousness. Just a few years ago, a fellow writer passed away in a house fire in Darlington, SC, where I used to live. His 28-year-old son arrived to find the house on fire, called 911, and then decided he was his father’s only hope for survival. With what had to be tremendous courage, the son forged his way into the brutal blaze. Both men lost their lives, but the courageousness that fueled a son to save his dad, in the face of his own death, is nothing less than a miracle.

L—LoveLove is a many splendid thing. It is one of the first miracles God ever gave us. Most of us are born into our mother and father’s love, showered with family love, develop self-love, grow into romantic love, get to experience being loving mothers, and hopefully die with those who love us by our side. All of us have the opportunity to give love. I can be quoted on numerous occasions joyously stating, “I love love!” It’s glorious; truly life’s greatest miracle of all!

E—EnergyEnergy fuels the world. Can you believe there is stuff in the ground that makes our cars go? When is the last time you appreciated that all you have to do is flip a switch to light a room? Being in my 50s, I am only one generation away from someone—my mother—who was raised on a farm without heat, air, indoor plumbing, or electric stove. Great imaginations, along with energy, allow us life’s most taken for granted—yet most important—luxuries. What’s a Mercedes Benz without fuel? What’s a mansion without electricity?

S —SelflessnessSelflessness is giving to others without thinking of yourself, or what you may get in return. Helping others is the most basic fundamental of survival. It is a miracle that people have the desire to help others, give to others and make a difference in other’s lives. I believe selflessness is the summation of all the characteristics of a miracle. To give without expecting…the day you can do that, is the day all of life’s miracles will shine upon you.

Here’s to a wondrous season of miracles; may your eyes be opened upon them. God Bless.